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Black Cat Alert: Today's Friday the 13th

An estimated 17 to 21 million people in the U.S. are affected by a fear of this most superstitious of days.

Superstitious much?

Today is Friday the 13th. Did you know that there is actually a scientific term for the fear of the number 13? Psychologists call it “triskaidekaphobia.” The fear of Friday 13th itself is even more unpronouncable: “paraskevidekatriaphobia.”

Snopes.com has an interesting history about the origins of the day.

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Today, those with a superstitious bent stay off roads, ladders and black cats. There’s a good chance some people you know—or you yourself—are a little bit more wary today.

Wikipedia reports that, according to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, NC, an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the U.S. are affected by a fear of Friday the 13th.

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There will be two more chances to experience Friday the 13th in 2012. It will also occur in April and July.

If you do decide to lock the door, close the blinds and stay inside today, you probably won't want to watch the horror movie Friday the 13th. If that appeals to you, however, you should know there are 12 movies in that series.

That's terrifying.

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